England men’s Test team – Stephan Shemilt’s 2024 awards
There is no competition for this. The first Test in Pakistan may have been brought on by some stunning run-scoring, the series win in New Zealand was a bit of a surprise and skipper Ben Stokes dismissed West Indies’ defeat at Trent Bridge as His favourites, but they all pale in comparison to England’s opener this year.
The first Test win against India was one of England’s greatest ever overseas victories. This was both shocking and unexpected given the quality of the opposition, the conditions, the absence of Harry Brooke, the injury to Jack Leach and the lack of experience in the attack.
England trailed by 190 runs in the first innings and 163-5 in the second. Then there was Olly Pope and Tom Hartley. On the fourth day, in the last half hour, victory was completed in the dying light. England fell apart for the remainder of the series, accelerating personnel changes, but we will always have the Hyderabad heist.
